How to play the D9 chord on guitar

The D9 chord, pronounced "D dominant ninth," is a jazzy and sophisticated guitar voicing. It adds a ninth note to the standard D7 chord, creating a rich and complex sound. The D9 is commonly used in genres like jazz, funk, and soul. Notable songs featuring this chord include "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk. Its unique flavor can add depth to any composition.

The most common way to play a D9 chord on the guitar is as a barre chord on the 5th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a D9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 5th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start with a downstroke on the 5th string (A), followed by an upstroke that includes the 4th (D), 3rd (G), 2nd (B), and 1st (high E) strings.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the D9 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Strum only these three strings.

The D9 barre chord is a great way to add some extra flavor and complexity to your playing, especially when you want a fuller sound than the standard D9 chord.

Here's how to play a D9 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The D9 chord is often used in progressions to add a dreamy, jazzy, or sophisticated feel to a song. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the D9 chord:

• ii9 - V7 - Imaj7 (Dm9 - G7 - Cmaj7) - Used in "Girl from Ipanema" and "Fly Me to the Moon"
• I9 - vi7 - ii7 - V7 (D9 - Bm7 - Em7 - A7)
• Imaj9 - ii7 - V7 - Imaj7 (Dmaj9 - Em7 - A7 - Dmaj7)
• ii9 - V9 - Imaj7 (Em9 - A9 - Dmaj7)
• I9 - IV9 - V9 (D9 - G9 - A9) - Used in "Satin Doll" and "Misty"

To master the D9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the D9 and other chords you know well, like G or A. Strum patterns are also crucial; start with a simple down-up pattern and gradually increase complexity as you build muscle memory.

Another effective drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note in sequence from lowest to highest. This helps train your fingers to move smoothly between the notes. As you improve, try incorporating the D9 into your favorite songs for a real-world workout.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the D9 chord:

1. Light My Fire by The Doors (D9, Bm7, G, A, F#m)
2. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, D9, A7sus4)
3. Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers (D9, F#m, Bm7, G, A)
4. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (G, C9, D9, Em7)
5. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, C, D9, Fmaj7)
6. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (G, C, D9, F)
7. Love on the Brain by Rihanna (Gm7, C7, D9, Bbmaj7)
8. Come Together by The Beatles (D9, A7, G7)
9. Creep by Radiohead (G, B, C, Cm, D9)
10. Santeria by Sublime (D9, G, Bm7, A)